PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem would like to see the United
States Golf Association become more proactive in controlling the
distance today's technologically superior golf balls travel.

Finchem, making an appearance Friday at the Royal Caribbean Classic,
the first full-field event on the Champions Tour, reiterated concerns
he has over how far today's players are driving the ball. Forty
players averaged more than 300 yards driving at the Phoenix Open
last month. Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson have already driven par
4s this year with their new Titleist 983K Drivers and Pro V1x balls.

Els set a PGA Tour record with his 31 under par total in the season-opening
Mercedes Championship, topping the previous record under par by
three shots.

"At some point, nobody knows where, one of two things could
happen," Finchem said. "The average player feels divorced
and doesn't appreciate the game at this level, and there is such
a gap (between pros and recreational players) it's not particularly
relevant. We are not there yet. The second problem is if everybody's
driving par 4s, it's not particularly interesting to watch. We are
not there yet either.

"I think this can be handled by the USGA, and I think we're
moving in that direction, but we need to be more aggressive about
it."

Finchem is in favor of capping the distance balls can travel rather
than roll distances back, and he is on record saying that if the
USGA and Royal & Ancient governing bodies can't resolve the
problem, the PGA Tour would consider becoming involved in creating
equipment rules for its tours. He prefers the PGA Tour not get involved
in equipment rule making, which would create two different rules
for pros and amateurs, but it remains an option.

Although Finchem has no problem with players hitting the ball farther
because they're generating more club head speed, he's concerned
about the distance advantages created by ball technology.

"The USGA has done a good job on the club head," Finchem
said. "But we are not where we need to be as a sport in respect
to the ball, and we are anxious because we are continuing to see
some distance enhancements in the real world."

The PGA Tour has no plans to get involved, but Finchem's staff
will monitor equipment development and how it's affecting the game.

"Short term, you say, `Gee, golf is doing great, the PGA Tour
is doing great, it can't be a problem.' I understand, but I think
prudence would argue for looking at things in the long term."